Hilda Eskridge Donnelly's Obituary
Hilda Eskridge Donnelly, age 96 of Seaford, DE, passed away peacefully at her home. She was born on May 9, 1926, daughter of the late Norman A, and Gertrude E. (Passwaters) Eskridge.
A lifelong Seaford resident, born and bred, Hilda was the first woman to serve on the Delaware River and Bay Authority Board and worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Jim Allen. She held a part-time position working for the Department of Elections in Georgetown for many years, a job that she truly loved, and she dearly loved the people with whom she worked.
Hilda was very active in the community. She was a member of the Bridgeville Lioness Club, where she served as President for many years and a member of the Bridgeville Auxiliary, where she helped serve many, many dinners. Hilda served on the Apple Scrapple Committee and enjoyed being a part of the Bridgeville Lady’s McDonald Group. She also helped serve many meals at the Union United Methodist church. Hilda’s faith in God was the anchor in her life, and she was a devout member of the Union United Methodist Church. She also was a past member of the Women's Democrat Club.
Hilda’s favorite thing to do was to look out her picture window and watch the deer grazing in the field, and watching the many birds that would come regularly to the bird feeders in her yard to which she so lovingly tended. Hilda was a loving and caring lady who will be missed by all who know her.
In addition to her parents, Hilda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo Donnelly; and her honorary daughter, Diane Cline. She is survived by her honorary daughter, Janet “Petie” Holloway and her husband, Alan; her goddaughter, Denise Holmes and her husband, Norman, and their children; Denise’s father, Harry Cline; her cousin Barbara Terry; and many, many friends.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Mrs. Donnelly’s memory to the Bridgeville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Attn: Treasurer, P.O. Box 727, Bridgeville, DE, 19933 or to the Union United Methodist Church, 2 Laws Street, Bridgeville, DE, 19933, https://www.unioninbridgeville.com/give/ or Vitas Hospice, 30265 Commerce Drive, Suite 202, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Hilda’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caretakers that were so very loving and helpful during Hilda’s final chapter: Donna Shindle, Jan’s Caring Hands (Jan, Rhonda, and Vee) and the Vitas Hospice nurses: Patty, Stacy, Melinda and Dianna.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2023 TO OUR BRIDGEVILLE LOCATION.
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